JP2822369B2 - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette and, more particularly, to the prevention of erroneous insertion of a tape cassette into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional tape cassette used in a magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a VTR) such as a video tape recorder, there is a conventional tape cassette as shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views for explaining a conventional tape cassette. FIG. 5A is a view of the tape cassette viewed from the top, FIG. 5B is a view of the tape cassette viewed from the bottom, and FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining an operation for preventing erroneous insertion when a conventional tape cassette is inserted into a VTR for standard recording from a wide direction, and FIG. (B) is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which it is normally inserted, and (C) is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which erroneous insertion from the back surface opposite to the front lid is prevented.

The conventional tape cassette 1A shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B has a tape width of 1/2 inch, for example, and a thick base film coated with magnetic powder such as iron oxide. A magnetic tape (hereinafter referred to as iron oxide tape) To is housed in the cassette housing 2A, and is configured as a standard recording tape cassette that can be recorded and / or reproduced in a standard recording format, for example, a VHS standard format. ing.

[0005] A cassette housing 2A which forms a part of the exterior of the tape cassette 1A has an upper half member and a lower half member which are formed by using a resin material, which are covered with a lid vertically and are connected by screws or the like. It is assembled in a substantially rectangular shape. An iron oxide tape To is wound between the supply-side tape reel 3 and the take-up side tape reel 4 rotatably stored in the cassette housing 2A. iron oxide tape to is via the supply side guide pole 5, a loading pocket 2a ₁ of the front portion of the bottom surface 2a of the cassette housing 2A is opened by lightening
While it is stretched along to 2A region _3, further taken through the take-up side guide poles 6 and 7 the take-up side tape reel 4 wound.

Further, the reel hole _2a 4, 2a ₅ of the intermediate portion of the bottom surface 2a of the cassette housing 2A facing the supply side and the take-up tape reel 3 and 4 are drilled. Note that the loading pocket _2a 1 to 2A region ₃ of the cassette housing 2A is
When the loading member (not shown) on the VTR side enters, the iron oxide tape To is pulled out of the cassette housing 2A.

Further, the loading front portion of the pocket 2a ₁ to 2A region ₃ of the cassette housing 2A, the front cover 8 for protecting the iron oxide tape To that stretched is urged in the closed direction by the torsion spring opening It is freely supported. The front cover 8 also forms a part of the exterior of the tape cassette 1A, and is formed to be long using a resin material in correspondence with the wide direction (longitudinal direction) of the cassette housing 2A.

Here, the VT of the conventional tape cassette 1A
The operation of preventing erroneous insertion into R will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6A, a wide front cover 8 constituting the tape cassette 1A is provided.
Erroneous insertion preventing means of the tape cassette 1A side which is used to successfully insert the VTR50 for standard recording employing a standard recording format from the X ₁ direction to the head (for VHS), the front center bottom of the front lid 8 shallow a concave notch portion 8a which is notched in a recessed, and space passage of the central loading pocket 2a ₂ of the cassette housing 2A, from the loading pocket front wall portion 2a ₂₁ formed in the deeper central loading pocket 2a in ₂ recessed notch 8a and oppositely to conform to the substantially straight line with, and a wrong insertion prevention groove 2a ₆₁ formed in the shallow recessed front portion center of the bottom surface 2a continuous with the loading pocket front wall portion 2a _21. At this time, the length from the front surface 2b of the cassette housing 2A to the end of the erroneous insertion preventing groove 2a ₆₁ on the rear surface side of the front lid 8 is set to be as long as the dimension α ₁ mm. In the middle of the erroneous insertion preventing groove 2a _61, a lamp insertion hole 2a into which a lamp for detecting the start and end of the iron oxide tape To is inserted.
₇ are deep formed, it is part of the lamp inserting hole 2a ₇ also erroneous insertion prevention groove 2a _61.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, in a VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS) which allows the tape cassette 1A to be inserted from a wide direction, the cassette holder 51 has the tape cassette 1A. Is provided so as to be reciprocally movable between an upper cassette insertion / removal position for inserting / removing the tape cassette and a cassette mounting position for moving the inserted tape cassette 1A downward, and a front cover is provided while the tape cassette 1A is being moved downward. When the lid 8 is opened, the iron oxide tape To can be pulled out of the cassette housing 2A toward the rotating drum having the magnetic head by a loading member (not shown) at the lower cassette mounting position. The cassette holder 51 formed by using a sheet metal member has a cassette insertion / removal opening 51a.
The width direction of the cassette insertion opening 51a is formed so as to be wide along with the cassette housing 2A, and the height direction of the
f is slightly higher than the height of the cassette housing 2A so that the leaf springs 52, 52 attached to the rear surface of the cassette housing 2A can contact the top surface 2f of the inserted cassette housing 2A. Also,
An eject button 53 is provided near the cassette insertion opening 51a of the cassette holder 51.

The bottom plate 51b of the cassette holder 51 has an erroneous insertion at the center in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 51b corresponding to the erroneous insertion preventing means (8a, 2a ₆₁ ) formed in the tape cassette 1A in a shallow concave shape as described above. Insertion prevention detection member (hereinafter,
Erroneous insertion referred to as prevention detection piece) 51b ₁ are formed by cutting and raising a low level upwards. Further, the cassette holder 51 is formed raised outright away stopper piece _51b 2, 51b ₂ are intervals in the left-right in the insertion direction leading end of the tape cassette 1A, the insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ erroneous from the stopper piece 51b ₂ The length up to the end is set to a dimension β ₁ mm slightly shorter than the dimension α ₁ mm of the erroneous insertion preventing groove 2a ₆₁ described above. Therefore, the cassette holder 5
Looking at 1 from the front, the installation position of the erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ is installed in the insertion direction ahead erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b 1 to be described later _(FIG. 2).

As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), the wide front lid 8 is placed at the top and the cassette housing 2 is opened.
The tape cassette 1A is inserted from the cassette insertion opening 51a in such a manner that the bottom surface 2a of the cassette A can be placed on the bottom plate 51b of the cassette holder 51. At this time, along with the insertion operation of the cassette housing 2A, the side surfaces 2c and 2d of the cassette housing 2A
There cassette insertion slot 51a and the side surface 51c of the cassette holder 51, to be guided inserted while being restricted to the insertion direction governed by 51d, erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ provided on the front of the cassette holder 51 is erroneous tape cassette 1A concave notch portion 8a of the lid 8 before configuring insertion preventing means, the erroneous insertion prevention groove 2a of the bottom surface 2a of the cassette housing 2A through the central space passage of the loading pockets 2a ₂ of ₆₁
Since the dimension α ₁ mm> the dimension β ₁ mm is set as described above, the erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 5
1b ₁ is at a predetermined position just before contacting the end of the erroneous insertion prevention groove 2a ₆₁ , and the front surface 2b of the cassette housing 2A contacts the stopper piece 51b ₂ and is inserted to the predetermined position, so that the tape cassette 1A is inserted. It can be determined that it has been inserted normally.

As shown in FIG. 6 (C), as described above, unlike the normal insertion direction from the wide direction with the front lid 8 at the head, the cassette housing is opposite to the front lid 8 on the opposite side. Body 2A
With the wide back surface 2e at the top and the cassette housing 2
For example, when the bottom surface 2a of the cassette A is erroneously inserted in a substantially parallel posture along the bottom plate 51b of the cassette holder 51, the front portion of the back surface 2e of the cassette housing 2A is erroneously inserted at a low height provided in front of the cassette holder 51. the insertion preventing detecting piece 51b ₁ will abut the tape cassette 1A can be judged rearward to the mis-insertion of being protruded greatly unable inserted into a predetermined position in the cassette holder 51. In addition, erroneous insertion of the tape cassette 1A from the wide direction may be reversed upside down in addition to the case shown in FIG. 6C, but the description is omitted here.

[0014]

Recently, a VTR for high-density recording capable of recording and / or reproducing an HDTV image such as a high-definition image or a landscape screen TV image at a high density has been desired. To realize this, on January 8, 1993, a high-density recording format different from the conventional standard recording format, for example, WV
The HS standard format has been proposed. For high-density recording (W-VH
The tape cassette of the conventional standard recording (VHS) tape cassette 1A is used for the tape cassette of (S) for the reason that the outer shape of the cassette housing is shared with production facilities, the price is reduced, and the VTR mechanism is shared. A magnetic tape (approximately the same outer dimensions as the housing 2A), a tape width of, for example, テ ー プ inch, formed in the cassette housing, and a magnetic material such as chrome applied or deposited on a thin base film ( Hereinafter, referred to as a metal tape). Then, a tape cassette for high-density recording (for W-VHS) is newly developed with a tape cassette for high-density recording (for W-VHS).
Alternatively, when inserted into a VTR for both standard recording and high-density recording (for both VHS and W-VHS), two-track recording and / or reproduction in the W-VHS standard format can be performed at high density. Here, the newly developed tape cassette for high density recording (for W-VHS) has a magnetic tape type and recording format for standard recording (for VHS).
The tape cassette for high-density recording is a VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS).
Cannot be recorded and / or reproduced. Therefore, the tape cassette for high-density recording (for W-VHS) is replaced with the tape cassette for standard recording (for V-VHS).
It is necessary to prevent insertion into the VTR 50 (for HS). However, for newly developed high density recording (W
-The tape cassette (for VHS) may be erroneously inserted into the VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS) which has already been used. At this time, as described above, the height direction of the cassette holder 51 of the VTR 50 is changed. Since it is formed higher than the height of the cassette housing 2A, the cassette holder 5
Since a gap is formed between the back surface of the top plate 51f and the top surface 2f of the cassette housing 2A, the user can use the front part on the front lid side of the high-density recording (for W-VHS) tape cassette. Is forcibly inserted obliquely upward and the front part of the cassette housing rides on the low-height erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 51b provided in front of the cassette holder 51 of the VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS). It is necessary to take countermeasures in advance.

Therefore, the erroneous insertion preventing means (8a, 2a) provided in the tape cassette 1A for standard recording (for VHS) is also provided for the tape cassette for high density recording (for W-VHS).
There is a need for an erroneous insertion prevention means based on the technical concept substantially similar to that of _a61 ). That is, there is provided an erroneous insertion preventing means for preventing insertion of a tape cassette for high-density recording (for W-VHS) into the VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS), and for high-density recording (for W-VHS). Tape cassette newly developed for both standard recording and high-density recording (VHS, W-VHS
A tape cassette for high-density recording (for W-VHS) having an erroneous insertion preventing means capable of detecting erroneous insertion even when the tape cassette is inserted into a VTR for dual use is desired.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a substantially rectangular shape in which a first magnetic tape on which recording and reproduction is performed in a first recording format is wound between a pair of reels. The first cassette housing includes a front cover that is openable and closable so as to cover the first magnetic tape stretched by a loading pocket formed in a front portion of the first cassette housing. and support to, and,
The deeper the erroneous insertion preventing groove formed in the bottom surface front portion continuous with the loading pocket front wall surface portion formed before Symbol loading pocket, the front of the cassette holder of the front first magnetic recording while the top lid and / or reproducing apparatus The second magnetic tape, which has substantially the same configuration as the tape cassette for the first recording format that is normally inserted into the provided low-height erroneous insertion prevention detecting member, and is used for recording and reproduction in the second recording format, is mounted on the first cassette. The first magnetic recording and storage device is housed in a second cassette housing having substantially the same outer dimensions as the housing.
And / or contacting the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member of the playback device.
Cannot be inserted into the first magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus normally.
The erroneous insertion preventing groove formed in the depth substantially equal dimensions from the front surface of the front Stories second cassette housing to the loading pocket front wall section as well as have about shortened form, the front lid top
A second magnetic recording and / or tape cassette for the second recording format to successfully inserted into the erroneous insertion preventing detection member lower height provided on the deeper of the cassette holder of the reproducing apparatus while leading the front cover When the second cassette housing is erroneously inserted into the cassette holder of the first device while being inserted, the loading pocket front wall portion is provided at the end of the erroneous insertion prevention groove of the second cassette housing in the insertion direction. A supported door is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the erroneous insertion prevention detection member of the first device enters the erroneous insertion prevention groove in the erroneous insertion state after climbing over the door from the terminal end portion in the insertion direction with the insertion operation. An escape groove for allowing insertion of the second cassette housing is formed substantially in a straight line toward the rear in the insertion direction at a front portion of the bottom surface of the second cassette housing separating the door, and the front lid is positioned at the front. When the second cassette housing is inserted into the cassette holder of the first device and the cassette holder of the second device, the door is kept in a closed state, and the first groove is inserted into the clearance groove of the second cassette housing. A tape cassette, wherein when the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member on the apparatus side enters, the door is opened to facilitate removal of the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member with an ejecting operation. Is provided.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a tape cassette according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views for explaining a tape cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the tape cassette viewed from the bottom side, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an erroneous insertion preventing means corresponding to FIG. 2 and a relief groove portion at the time of erroneous insertion. FIG. 2 shows an erroneous insertion preventing operation when the tape cassette is inserted into a VTR for both standard recording and high-density recording from a wide direction. It is a diagram for explaining,
(A) is a perspective view showing a state where the front lid is inserted normally with the front lid at the head, (B) is a side sectional view showing a state where the front lid is inserted normally, and (C) is a rear view opposite to the front lid. FIG. 3D is a side sectional view showing a state in which erroneous insertion is prevented, and FIG. 3D is a side sectional view showing a state in which an erroneous insertion preventing member is inserted into an escape groove portion of the cassette housing at the time of erroneous insertion from the back. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a state in which the cassette is erroneously inserted into a standard recording VTR with the front lid at the top, and FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the erroneous insertion state, and FIG. FIG. 4C is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the erroneous insertion prevention member has entered the escape groove portion after climbing over a door provided on the front wall portion of the loading pocket of the cassette housing when the erroneous insertion is performed. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cassette, with the front cover at the top, and a VTR for standard recording. It is a top view for explaining the state at the time of insertion, (A) is a figure showing the state where erroneous insertion was prevented, and (B) was provided on the front wall part of the loading pocket of the cassette housing at the time of erroneous insertion. Diagram showing the state where the erroneous insertion prevention member has entered the escape groove after getting over the door,
(C) is a diagram showing a state in which the erroneous insertion preventing member opens a door provided on the front wall portion of the loading pocket of the cassette housing with the ejecting operation.

The tape cassette 1B according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) is an iron oxide tape (recording / reproducing) in the standard recording format (first recording format) described in the prior art. For a standard recording (first recording format) tape cassette 1A in which a first magnetic tape (To) To is stored in a cassette housing (first cassette housing) 2A, a cassette housing (first cassette housing) Magnetic recording characteristics are different from those of the iron oxide tape To in a cassette housing (second cassette housing) 2B formed with substantially the same external dimensions as 2A, and recording and reproduction are performed in a high-density recording format (second recording format). A metal tape (second magnetic tape) Tm having a width of 1/2 inch is accommodated and configured as a tape cassette for high-density recording (for a second recording format). This allows the tape cassette 1B according to the present invention to have a high-density recording format, for example, W-VH
A VTR 60 for both standard recording and high-density recording (for both VHS and W-VHS) employing the S standard format (FIG. 2)
(A)).

Further, the tape cassette 1B according to the present invention
Features consists central space passage of the loading pockets 2a ₂ erroneous insertion preventing groove of the cassette housing 2B as will be described later (hereinafter, referred to as erroneous insertion preventing virtual groove) 2a
The VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS) of the tape cassette 1B is formed with the front lid 8 at the beginning by forming the length ₆₂ shorter than the erroneous insertion preventing groove 2a ₆₁ provided on the bottom surface 2a side of the conventional cassette housing 2A. In addition to preventing erroneous insertion into standard recording and high-density recording (V
HS and W-VHS are allowed to be inserted into the VTR 60, and erroneous insertion into the VTR 60 for both standard recording and high-density recording (for both VHS and W-VHS) is prevented with the back surface 2e at the top. Has become.

Further, when the front part of the tape cassette 1B in the inserting direction of the tape cassette 1B is forcibly inclined obliquely upward with the front lid 8 at the front and erroneously inserted into the VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS), the cassette housing A door 9 supported by the loading pocket front wall portion 2a ₂₁ is provided at the end portion in the insertion direction of the erroneous insertion prevention virtual groove portion 2a ₆₂ formed in 2B so as to be openable and closable. is obtained by forming a substantially straight line toward the relief groove 2a ₈ to allow insertion of at erroneous insertion state enters the standard recording erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ of VTR50 side (for VHS) in the insertion direction rear. Therefore, the tape cassette 1B
As will be described later, a newly developed VT for upward compatible standard recording and high-density recording (for both VHS and W-VHS)
While the R60 is allowed to be inserted, the conventional standard recording (for VHS) VTR 50 having a different recording format is prevented from being erroneously inserted by an erroneous insertion preventing means described later.

First, FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIG. 2A
As shown in, using a wide front lid 8 of width constituting the tape cassette 1B top the standard recording from the direction X _1, when properly inserted into the VTR60 high-density recording combined (VHS, W-VHS combined) The erroneous insertion preventing means on the side of the tape cassette 1B is provided at the center of the cassette housing 2B in the wide direction in correspondence with the erroneous insertion preventing means (8a, 2a ₆₁ ) on the side of the tape cassette 1A shown in the conventional example. is set up.
That is, the erroneous insertion preventing means on the side of the tape cassette 1B is provided with a concave notch 8a in which the lower front center of the front cover 8 is concavely cut.
And a virtual passage 2a ₆₂ between the front surface 2b of the cassette housing 2B on the back side of the front lid 8 and the loading pocket front wall portion 2a ₂₁ formed in the center of the loading pocket 2a _{2 at} the back. 5), and the length of the imaginary groove for preventing erroneous insertion 2a ₆₂ consisting of this space passage is set to the dimension α ₂ mm.
The length α ₂ mm is set to be shorter than the length α ₁ mm of the conventional erroneous insertion preventing groove 2a ₆₁ shown in FIG. In addition, set as above
The length of the erroneous insertion prevention virtual groove portion 2a ₆₂ will be described later.
Those in the erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ of the preceding VTR50 side
Short enough to prevent normal insertion into the VTR 50
It will be. Accordingly, erroneous insertion preventing means of the cassette housing 2B has a concave notch portion 8a of the front lid 8, though configured in a substantially straight line between the insertion preventing virtual groove 2a ₆₂ mis consisting central space passage of the loading pockets 2a ₂ of And
In other words, although the erroneous insertion preventing virtual groove 2a ₆₂ formed of the space passage in the center loading pocket 2a ₂ is not formed in a groove shape, the erroneous insertion preventing virtual groove 2a is formed.
Reference numeral ₆₂ denotes an erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 51b provided in front of the cassette holder 51 of the VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS).
_{1 '} or both standard recording and high density recording (VHS,
W-VHS erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ provided on the deeper of the cassette holder 61 of VTR60 the combined use) is adapted to be entered substantially linearly. At this time, the cassette housing 2B
Are restricted in the insertion direction left and right with respect to the cassette holders 51 and 61, so that there is no problem even with only the erroneous insertion prevention virtual groove 2a _{62 formed of} a space passage.

A rigidly formed door 9 having a small thickness is closed on the front wall portion 2a ₂₁ of the loading pocket at the center of the cassette housing 2B by a torsion spring (not shown) around the shaft 10. It is urged in the direction and can be opened and closed freely. The door 9 constitutes a main part of the present invention, and the door 9 can be opened toward the front of the cassette housing 2B, and the door 9 is located behind the cassette housing 2B. It is regulated so that it cannot be opened. Also, with the state where the door 9 is closed in front of the door 9 meets substantially flush with the loading pocket front wall portion 2a _21,
The front of the door 9 is the terminal end of the imaginary insertion preventing virtual groove 2a _{62 in} the insertion direction. Further, the bottom surface 2 continuous with the central loading pocket front wall portion _{2a 21} of the cassette housing 2B
The front part of a, relief grooves 2a ₈ of erroneous insertion when the main part of the present invention is formed. The escaping groove 2a ₈ at the time of erroneous insertion is formed in a substantially straight and shallow concave shape at a front portion of the bottom surface 2a separated from the terminal end portion of the erroneous insertion preventing imaginary groove portion 2a ₆₂ by a slight distance as much as the thickness of the door 9. ing. Further, since the height of the door 9 is formed larger than the height of the relief groove 2a _8, insertion of the insertion preventing virtual groove 2a ₆₂ erroneously in a state where the door 9 is closed direction end portion and the relief groove 2a ₈
Of the insertion direction is closed by the door 9 while the door 9 is closed.
When the cover is opened, the erroneous insertion preventing virtual groove 2a ₆₂ and the escape groove 2a ₈ communicate with each other substantially in a straight line.
Moreover, the relief groove 2a ₈ is formed in a substantially straight line including the lamp inserting hole 2a ₇ lamp enters for detecting start and end of the metal tape Tm. The length dimension of the relief groove 2a ₈ is the front of the cassette housing 2B 2
to the end of the groove portion 2a ₈ fled b is set to higher dimensions alpha ₁ mm. Therefore, the bottom surface 2a of the cassette housing 2B
The escape groove 2a ₈ formed on the side is for standard recording (for VHS) with a different recording format while forcibly tilting the front part in the insertion direction of the tape cassette 1B obliquely upward with the wide front lid 8 at the head as described later. ), The erroneous insertion preventing virtual groove 2a of the cassette housing 2B when the erroneous insertion into the VTR 50 is performed.
_The cassette holder 51 is located in front of the door 9, which is the terminal portion of _62.
It enters insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ erroneous after rides on an erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ of lower height which is provided on the front, which has been formed to tolerate erroneous insertion into VTR50 the tape cassette 1B is there.

[0024] As described below, doors 9 provided on the loading pocket front wall portion _{2a 21} of the cassette housing 2B
, When inserting the front lid 8 of the tape cassette 1B in the top cassette holder 51 is kept in the closed state by the torsion spring (not shown), a stopper function for preventing erroneous insertion detecting piece 51b ₁ of the cassette holder 51 Plays. On the other hand, the tape cassette 1B is erroneously inserted into the cassette holder 51 with the front lid 8 at the top, and
When the erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 51b ₁ having a low height of ₁ gets over the door 9 and enters the escape groove 2a ₈ , the door 9 resists the torsion spring with the ejecting operation and the center of the cassette housing 2B. open toward the forward of the loading pockets 2a ₂ capped, erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ is adapted to be easily disengaged from the relief groove portion 2a within _8. still,
Even if the door 9 is opened toward the front of the cassette housing 2B,
Loading pocket _2a of the cassette housing 2B 1 ~2a
The length of the door 9 is set in advance so that the door 9 does not contact the metal tape Tm stretched in front of the door ₃ .

Furthermore, in response to erroneous insertion of the wide rear direction of width of the tape cassette 1B, the groove 2a ₉ run away in the width direction central portion in the insertion direction in front of the back surface 2e and continuous bottom surface 2a of the cassette housing 2B is It is formed to be shallow and concave in a substantially straight line. The relief groove 2a ₉ is set at a position on an extension line of the relief groove 2a ₈ formed on the bottom front of the cassette housing 2B, insert forward when erroneous insertion from a wide rear direction of width of the cassette housing 2B It is formed rearward in the insertion direction at a slight distance from the rear surface 2e which is a part.
At this time, the length dimension of the relief groove 2a ₉ until the end of the groove portion 2a ₉ escape from the back surface 2e is set to more dimensions alpha ₁ mm. In addition, as shown in FIG.
_{In the} front in the insertion direction from the back surface 2e side in the cassette holder ₉ , the cassette holder 5 inserted into the escape groove portion 2a ₉ will be described later.
An inclined surface K for easily detaching the erroneous insertion prevention detecting pieces 51b ₁ , 61b ₁ of the _first and the 61 at the time of ejection is formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2A, a VTR 60 for both standard recording and high-density recording (for both VHS and W-VHS), which allows the tape cassette 1B to be inserted from a wide direction, as described above. The cassette insertion / removal opening 61a of the cassette holder 61 is formed wide to fit with the cassette housing 2B, and the height direction of the cassette insertion / removal opening 61a is
It is formed slightly higher than the height of the cassette housing 2B so that the leaf springs 62, 62 attached to the back surface of the cassette housing 2B can contact the top surface 2f of the inserted cassette housing 2B. An eject button 63 is provided near the cassette insertion opening 61a of the cassette holder 61. Further, the erroneous insertion preventing means (8a, 2a ₆₂ ) formed on the tape cassette 1B as described above is provided on the bottom plate 61b of the cassette holder 61.
The insertion preventing detection member erroneous width direction central portion of the bottom plate 61b in correspondence (hereinafter, referred to as erroneous insertion preventing detection member) 61b ₁ are formed by cutting and raising a low level upwards. In the cassette holder 61, stopper pieces 61b ₂ , 61b ₂ are formed at the leading end of the tape cassette 1B in the insertion direction by cutting and raising at an interval from side to side. In this case, the installation position of the width direction of the erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ of the cassette holder 61 is conventional erroneous insertion preventing detection member shown in FIG. 6 (A) 5
1b ₁ is set at the same position corresponding to the installation position in the width direction of ₁ . Also, the stopper piece 61 of the cassette holder 61
length from b ₂ to the insertion end of the prevention detection piece 61b ₁ erroneous, 6 to conventional end of the stopper piece 51b insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ mis from ₂ shown in (A) the length beta ₁ m
m is set to a degree short dimension beta ₂ mm can be confirmed in a more visually and, this dimension beta ₂ mm slightly shorter dimensions than alpha ₂ mm preventing erroneous insertion virtual groove 2a ₆₂ described above is beta ₂ m
m. Thus, looking at the cassette holder 61 from the front, the installation position of the erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b _1, compared insertion direction of extent tape cassette 1B can be confirmed visually than the installation position of the insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ conventional false It is installed in the back.

Here, the tape cassette 1 for high density recording
B for high-density recording with the same recording format (VH
The operation of preventing erroneous insertion when inserted into the S / W-VHS VTR 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the wide front cover 8 of the tape cassette 1B is at the top, and the bottom surface 2a of the cassette housing 2B is used for both standard recording and high-density recording (VHS). The tape cassette 1B is inserted from the cassette insertion slot 61a in such a manner that it can be mounted on the bottom plate 61b of the cassette holder 61 constituting the VTR 60 of the VTR 60 (also used for W-VHS). At this time, along with the inserting operation of the cassette housing 2B, a concave notch portion 8a of the front lid 8 to erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ provided on the deeper of the cassette holder 61 constitutes the insertion preventing means erroneous tape cassette 1B After passing through, it is inserted into the erroneous insertion prevention virtual groove portion 2a _{62 formed} of a space passage in the central loading pocket 2a, and thereafter, as described above, the dimension α ₂ mm is greater than the dimension β ₂ mm. The insertion prevention detecting piece 61b ₁ is erroneously inserted to prevent the virtual groove 2a _62.
The front end 2b of the cassette housing 2B is located at a predetermined position just before the front of the door 9 which is the end portion of the cassette housing 2B in the insertion direction.
Since the inserted 1b ₂ to a predetermined abutting position it can be determined that the tape cassette 1B is inserted correctly. Also,
When the tape cassette 1B is inserted into or removed from the cassette holder 61 with the front lid 8 at the front, the door 9 provided on the front wall portion 2a ₂₁ of the loading pocket of the cassette housing 2B is kept closed by a torsion spring (not shown). ing.
Thus, upon insertion of the tape cassette 1B correctly in the cassette holder 61, since the erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ of the cassette holder 61 reaches only to the position of the front verge of door 9, insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ is door 9 nor enter into the escaping groove 2a ₈ formed in the front portion of the bottom surface 2a at a.

As shown in FIG. 2 (C), as described above, different from the normal insertion direction from the wide direction with the front lid 8 at the head, the cassette housing is opposite to the front lid 8 on the opposite side. Body 2B
With the wide back surface 2e at the top and the cassette housing 2
For example, when the bottom surface 2a of the cassette B is erroneously inserted in a substantially parallel posture along the bottom plate 61b of the cassette holder 61, the front portion of the back surface 2e of the cassette housing 2B may be erroneously inserted at a low height provided at the back of the cassette holder 61. the insertion preventing detecting piece 61b ₁ will abut the tape cassette 1B can be judged rearward to the mis-insertion of being protruded greatly unable inserted into a predetermined position in the cassette holder 61.

Further, as shown in FIG.
When the tape cassette 1B is erroneously inserted into the cassette holder 61 from the same direction as (C), the height of the cassette holder 61 is slightly higher than the height of the cassette housing 2B as described above. There is a slight gap between the top surface 2f of the body 2B and the back surface of the top plate 61f of the cassette holder 61. In this state, if the user inserts the tape cassette 1B into the cassette holder 61 incorrectly by forcibly tilting the rear surface 2e, which is the front portion in the insertion direction of the tape cassette 1B, obliquely upward, with the wide rear surface 2e at the top. Although ride on erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ of the front portion of the back surface 2e of the cassette housing 2B is low height, this remains the user will push the further deeper the tape cassette 1B without noticing, erroneous insertion preventing detection Piece 61b ₁ is back 2
It enters from the front part of e in relief groove 2a ₉ formed at a slight distance. Here, since the length of the relief groove 2a ₉ is formed above dimensions alpha ₁ mm as described above, it is erroneous insertion preventing detection member 61b ₁ escapes remains which has entered the groove portion 2a within ₉ state, the back surface 2e Is the stopper piece 61
is inserted until it abuts against the b _2, the tape cassette 1B is mounted on the cassette holder 61 while allowed erroneous insertion state. Thereafter, before the cassette holder 61 reaches the lower cassette mounting position, the front cover 8 cannot be opened due to erroneous insertion from the back surface 2e and automatically enters the eject mode, or immediately when the user erroneously inserts it. The user can take out the tape cassette 1B from the cassette holder 61 by noticing and pressing the eject button 63 or the like. At this time, since the inclined surface K is formed forward in the insertion direction from the back surface 2e side in the escape groove portion 2a ₉ into which the erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 61b ₁ has entered, the user pulls out the tape cassette 1B to the front. Misinsertion prevention detecting piece 61
b ₁ can be easily detached from the groove portion 2a ₉ escape along the inclined surface K. Accordingly, the tape cassette 1B is forcibly tilted obliquely upward at the front portion in the insertion direction from the wide back surface 2e to perform standard recording and high-density recording (VHS, W-VHS).
Forcibly) into the VTR 60 in the wrong state.
The tape cassette 1B can be reliably removed from the cassette holder 61, and the tape cassette 1B and the VT
R60 can be taken out without causing any damage.

Next, a tape cassette 1B for high density recording
3 and FIG. 4 show the operation when erroneously inserted into a VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS) having a different recording format.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (A), 3 (B) and 4 (A), the tape cassette 1 having the wide front lid 8 at the top is used.
B for standard recording with different recording format (for VHS)
When the erroneous insertion into the cassette holder 51 of the VTR 50 is performed, a slight gap is formed between the back surface of the top plate 51f of the cassette holder 51 and the top surface 2f of the cassette housing 2B. When the bottom surface 2a of the cassette 2B is inserted in a substantially parallel posture along the bottom plate 51b of the cassette holder 51, before the erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 51b ₁ provided in front of the cassette holder 51 constitutes the erroneous insertion prevention means of the tape cassette 1B. The concave notch 8a of the lid 8 and the erroneous insertion preventing virtual groove 2a _{62 formed by} a space passage in the center loading pocket 2a are inserted into the imaginary insertion preventing virtual groove 2a.
₆₂ with respect to the length dimension alpha ₂ mm, the stopper piece 51b ₂
Length of up to insertion end of prevention detection piece 51b ₁ erroneous from β
_{Since the} length of ₁ mm is longer, the erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece 51b ₁ having a low height comes into contact with the front of the door 9 which is the terminal end portion of the erroneous insertion prevention virtual groove 2a _{62 in} the insertion direction, and prevents further insertion. As a result, the tape cassette 1B cannot be inserted to a predetermined position, and it can be determined that the tape cassette 1B has been erroneously inserted.

Further, in the state shown in FIGS. 3 (C) and 4 (B) which are the main parts of the present invention, the same direction as shown in FIGS. 3 (A), (B) and 4 (A) is used. From tape cassette 1
When B is erroneously inserted into the cassette holder 51, as described above, there is a slight gap between the back surface of the top plate 51f of the cassette holder 51 and the top surface 2f of the cassette housing 2B. If the front part in the insertion direction of the cassette housing 2B is forcibly inclined obliquely upward with the wide front lid 8 at the head and erroneously inserted into the cassette holder 51, erroneous insertion consisting of a space passage in the central loading pocket 2a is prevented. because it is closed by a torsion spring door 9 is not illustrated in the insertion direction end portion of the virtual groove 2a _62, erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ of lower height which is provided in front of the cassette holder 51 rides on the door 9 but this remains the user will push the further deeper the tape cassette 1B without noticing, erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ is before the bottom surface of the cassette housing 2B at a door 9 Lamp inserting hole 2a ₇ formed in the region
A enters the escape groove 2a in the ₈ that includes. Here, since the length of the relief groove portion 2a ₈ is formed above dimensions alpha ₁ mm as described above, it is erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ escapes remains which has entered the groove portion 2a within ₈ state, the cassette housing front surface 2b of the body 2B is inserted until it abuts against the stopper 51b ₂ of the cassette holder 51, the tape cassette 1
B is placed on the cassette holder 51 with the erroneous insertion state allowed. Thereafter, the tape cassette 1B reaches the cassette mounting position while the front lid 8 is opened with the downward movement of the cassette holder 51, pulls out the metal tape Tm from the cassette housing 2B, and rotates with the magnetic head. When attached to a drum (not shown),
Although recording on the metal tape Tm is not possible due to the technical idea described in Japanese Patent No. 391, reproduction is performed only on the content already recorded on the metal tape Tm. However, in this case, a good image quality can be obtained because the recording format and magnetic recording characteristics are different. Instead, the user can immediately remove the tape cassette 1B from the cassette holder 51 by pressing the eject button 53 or the like.

[0034] Here, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), when the eject the tape cassette 1B from the cassette holder 51, when pulled out of the tape cassette 1B in front with the ejecting operation, enters the relief groove 2a in the ₈ it therefore erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ pushes the door 9 while against the torsion spring (not shown), the door 9 to open the lid toward the front of the cassette housing 2B (arrow) about the shaft 10 ,
It can be erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ is easily detached from the groove portion 2a ₈ escape. Therefore, even if the front part of the tape cassette 1B in the insertion direction is forcibly inclined obliquely upward with the front lid 8 at the front, and the tape cassette 1B is forcibly pushed into the VTR 50 for standard recording (for VHS) in an incorrectly inserted state, the tape cassette 1B is still held in the cassette holder. 51, and
The tape cassette 1B and the VTR 50 can be taken out without causing any damage. Of course, when the erroneous insertion preventing detection member 51b ₁ is completely disengaged from the groove portion 2a ₈ relief it is again closed by the torsion spring to the door 9 is not shown.

[0035]

According to the tape cassette of the present invention described in detail above, the first magnetic tape (iron oxide tape) on which recording and reproduction are performed in the nest 1 recording format (standard recording format) is housed in the first cassette housing. It has substantially the same configuration as the tape cassette for the first recording format,
A tape cassette for a second recording format in which a second magnetic tape (metal tape) on which recording and reproduction are performed in a recording format (high-density recording format) is housed in a second cassette housing having substantially the same external dimensions as the first cassette housing. In order to prevent the tape cassette for the second recording format from being erroneously inserted into the first magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus in which recording and reproduction are performed in the first recording format with the front lid at the top, An erroneous insertion preventing groove formed to have a dimension substantially equal to a depth dimension from a front surface of the housing to a front wall portion of the loading pocket is provided in the first magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus.
The first magnetic recording and / or the first magnetic recording
It is formed short enough to prevent normal insertion into the playback device , and
A door supported on the front wall of the loading pocket is provided at the terminal end of the erroneous insertion prevention groove of the second cassette housing in the insertion direction so as to be openable and closable. Since the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member enters and the escape groove portion that allows insertion in the erroneous insertion state is formed substantially in a straight line toward the rear in the insertion direction, the user can set the front lid to the front and insert the front part of the tape cassette in the insertion direction. When inserted into the cassette holder on the first device side in an incorrectly inserted state while forcibly tilting upward, an error of a low height provided in front of the cassette holder of the first device in the incorrect insertion prevention groove of the second cassette housing. After the insertion prevention detecting member enters and the door which becomes the terminal end portion in the insertion direction of the erroneous insertion preventing groove is climbed up, the erroneous insertion preventing detecting member is formed in the escape groove formed in the front part of the second cassette housing across the door. Even when the tape cassette for the second recording format is pulled out by the ejecting operation, the door is opened by the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member that has entered the escape groove portion. Can be easily detached from. Therefore, the front portion of the tape cassette for the second recording format is forcibly inclined obliquely upward with the front lid at the front, and the tape cassette is erroneously inserted into the cassette holder of the first device in which recording and reproduction are performed in the first recording format. Even if it is forcibly pushed, the tape cassette for the second recording format can be reliably taken out from the cassette holder of the first device, and without damaging the tape cassette for the second recording format and the first device at all. Can be taken out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a tape cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an erroneous insertion preventing operation when a tape cassette according to the present invention is inserted into a VTR for both standard recording and high density recording from a wide direction.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the tape cassette according to the present invention is erroneously inserted into a standard recording VTR with the front lid at the top;

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining a state in which the tape cassette according to the present invention is erroneously inserted into a VTR for standard recording with the front lid at the top.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional tape cassette.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an erroneous insertion preventing operation when a conventional tape cassette is inserted into a VTR for standard recording from a wide direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A: Tape cassette (tape cassette) for the first recording format, 1B: Tape cassette (tape cassette) for the second recording format, 2A: First cassette housing (cassette housing), 2B: Second cassette housing (the cassette housing), 2a ... bottom, _2a 1 ~2a 3 _... loading pocket,
2b: front surface, 2a ₂₁ : front wall portion of loading pocket, 2a ₆₁ : erroneous insertion preventing groove portion when inserting from the wide direction of the first cassette housing, 2a ₆₂ : from wide direction of the second cassette housing 2a ₈ ... escape groove 3 ... supply side tape reel 4 ... take-up side tape reel 8 ... front lid 9 ... door 50 ... first The first device (VTR) when the cassette housing is inserted from the wide direction, 51... The cassette holder when the first cassette housing is inserted from the wide direction, 51b ₁ ... The width of the first cassette housing Erroneous insertion prevention detecting member (erroneous insertion prevention detecting piece) corresponding to the wide direction of the pod, 60... The second device (VTR) when the second cassette housing is inserted from the wide direction, 61. Cassette when inserted from a wide direction Folder, 61b 1 _... erroneous insertion preventing detection member (erroneous insertion preventing detection member) and the corresponding broad direction of width of the second cassette housing, the To ... first magnetic tape (iron oxide tape), Tm ... second magnetic tape ( Metal tape).

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first magnetic tape on which recording and reproduction is performed in a first recording format is wound around a pair of reels and housed in a substantially rectangular first cassette housing. the openable front lid supported on the first cassette housing so that can cover the first magnetic tape was stretched at a loading pocket formed in a portion, and, loading pocket before formed into deeper before Symbol loading pocket An erroneous insertion prevention groove formed in a front portion of the bottom surface connected to the wall surface portion is attached to a low-height erroneous insertion prevention detecting member provided in front of the cassette holder of the first magnetic recording and / or reproducing apparatus with the front lid as the head. A second magnetic tape having substantially the same configuration as a tape cassette for the first recording format that is normally inserted, and in which recording and reproduction are performed in the second recording format, is mounted on the first cassette housing. Housed in a second cassette housing having substantially the same external dimensions as the body, and the first magnetic recording and / or
Or, by contacting the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member of the reproducing apparatus,
1 To the extent that it cannot be properly inserted into a magnetic recording and / or reproducing device
The erroneous insertion preventing groove formed in the depth substantially equal dimensions from the front surface of the front Stories second cassette housing to the loading pocket front wall section as well as every short form, Do the front lid to the top
A reluctant second magnetic recording and / or tape cassette for the second recording format to successfully inserted into the erroneous insertion preventing detection member deeper into provided a lower height of the cassette holder of the playback device, and the front cover to the top While the second cassette case is erroneously inserted into the cassette holder of the first device, the loading wall of the second cassette case is supported on the front wall of the loading pocket at the terminal end in the insertion direction of the erroneous insertion prevention groove. Door that can be opened and closed freely, and the first
The second cassette housing having an escape groove for allowing insertion in the erroneous insertion state after the erroneous insertion prevention detecting member on the apparatus side enters the door after climbing the door from the terminal end portion of the erroneous insertion prevention groove in the insertion direction and separating the door. A substantially straight line is formed in the front part of the bottom surface of the body toward the rear in the insertion direction, and the front lid is moved to the cassette holder of the first device and the cassette holder of the second device in the second cassette housing. While the door is kept closed, the erroneous insertion prevention member of the first device enters the escape groove portion of the second cassette housing when the erroneous insertion prevention member is inserted along with the ejection operation. A tape cassette, wherein the door is opened to facilitate detachment of the prevention detecting member.